'The Pathology of Practice,' A Short Story

Abstract

This short story tells the tale of attorney Tom Amos. At thirty-six, Tom is a prosperous litigator and a partner at his firm. With professional success, a wealthy and well-connected wife, and a baby daughter, Tom seemingly has everything he had ever wanted, or at least spent his entire life struggling so hard to achieve. Unfortunately, Tom’s life is not as perfect as it seems. Confusion and emotional chaos come to Tom in the form of Kay McAndrews - his beautiful client in a divorce case. The demons of Tom’s past come home to roost, and with tragic consequences.

Keywords: narrative, professionalism, legal profession, practice, litigation, legal culture